Antique of the Week Archive Page

SPORTS ANTIQUE

OF THE WEEK

Jan. 3rd- 9th 2010

Standout items

by SportsAntiques.com

THIS WEEKS FEATURE

PURDUE

VS.

NORTHWESTERN

c1910 Baseball Broadside

GAME POSTER

Illustrated by

Joseph Leyendecker

21 1/2" tall x 14" wide, printed on cardstock

Only known example of a

Leyendecker baseball game poster

By Carlton Hendricks

I got this Purdue vs. Northwestern baseball game poster about eighteen years ago, from Posters Plus in Chicago. That was way before the internet when collectors read the Antique Trader and went to shows. As I recall I saw an ad for Posters Plus and cold called them to see if they had any sports posters. The guy I spoke with told me about this poster plus a football one for Chicago vs. Northwestern. I seem to recall I paid about $300.00 each for them.


Antique literary sports poster examples

THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF POSTERS

Within the genera of antique sports posters you have sub categories. Some advertise products, such as cereal or clothing or cigarettes. An offshoot of that type would be those that advertise periodicals, usually referred to as literary posters. There were also incentive posters with sports themes, most notably by Mather. Incentive posters were displayed in the work place by employers to promote integrity and increase productivity. There were also posters issued by railroads which advertised special excursions to sports events, referred to as excursion posters.

Examples of different types antique sport posters


Mather incentive posters


Railroad excursion posters

Then you have school or team issued event posters which advertised upcoming athletic events. Typically they were posted around a campus or within traveling distance of the event. These event posters are sometimes called broadsides, an archaic term early posters were referred to as. Antique sports event posters are significantly rare, because they were intended to be torn down and thrown away after the event. Usually the older they are the more basic, having little to no graphics, they relied on the message text to draw people.

antique sport event poster examples

P61 BUSSINEAU small basketball broadside.JPG (81433 bytes)

07NationalUnedited 712.jpg (97776 bytes)

P117 ORBAN Case vs Carroll color FB broadside.JPG (93280 bytes)

SPORTS EVENT POSTERS - YOU'VE ARRIVED

Event posters have always been one of my favorite areas of collecting. Tickets and programs are cute, but owning the poster separates the men from the boys. Anyone could have bought a ticket or program, but the poster was never available or intended for public consumption. They aren't just some souvenir. When you own the poster that drew people to the event, you possess part of the very environment that took place....you've captured it and brought into your room...you've arrived. It gets no better than the event poster.

Self Portrait - Leyendecker

Cooking a sausage while working

c1910 Poster for Right Posture Boys’ Clothes, illustrated by Joesph's brother Frank Leyendecker

Carlton Hendricks Collection, Ref.

IT'S A LEYENDECKER

This Purdue vs. Northwestern baseball poster has an image of a catcher that was illustrated by Joseph Leyendecker 1874-1951. Leyendecker, who worked mostly out of New York City , was one of the most well known and successful illustrators of his day. He illustrated for many publications over a fifty year period including many covers for the Saturday Evening Post. Leyendecker's forte was the sophisticate; he was at his best when showing the wealthy privileged. Leyendecker was to graphic art what Ralph Lauren is to clothing. The Lauren and Leyendecker ideal were essentially identical. Like Lauren, Leyendecker was all about the upper class old money image and it's surroundings. The college athlete played into that image perfectly since the children of the rich all went there. The result of that dictum was, just more rich good looking people to illustrate.

1914 SPRING & SUMMER HOUSE OF KUPPENHEIMER CATALOG 7 7/8" tall x 5 5/8" wide J. C. Leyendecker illustrated Collection of Author

While preparing this feature I stumbled on an on-line reference that got my full attention.

http://www.tfaoi.com/aa/8aa/8aa8.htm
The Saturday Evening Post, Baseball Catcher
May 15, 1909
oil on canvas

Unlike Rockwell, Parrish and other illustrators who employed photography to help them create their images, Leyendecker preferred to paint from life. The photograph shows Leyendecker in his New York studio sketching a model dressed and posed as a catcher.

Which led me to the website of the Huntsville Museum of Art in Huntsville Alabama where a Leyendecker exhibition had been hosted February 24 - April 20, 2008. Which in turn led me to the exhibition's producer The Haggin Museum in Stockton, CA. I emailed them and bingo! I got the photo below...can you believe it!

Photo courtesy The Haggin Museum, Stockton, CA www.hagginmuseum.org

read what Leyendecker said during this session

Finding the actual photo of Leyendecker illustrating our catcher is no doubt the end all. I'm almost speechless! After I got the photo though, my curiosity was piqued ...who what where...Who in Stockton California has a photo of J.C. Leyendecker in his studio illustrating my catcher? Actually I think I vaguely recall having a discussion once with someone at an antiques show, about a museum in Stockton, and the person telling me about it having a remarkable collection of...I think it might have been Leyendecker...anyway...After the Haggin Museum graciously sent the photo, I emailed them back to enquire more about their Leyendecker collection....get this, their website says..."The Haggin Museum's collection of original works by Leyendecker represents the largest held by any museum"...can you imagine? Boy the east coast Illustration collectors must be mad about that!...Stockton California isn't exactly Hyde Park New York. Although actually Stockton California will forever be a part of the Carlton Hendricks evolution,...genesis really of collecting...For it was there in Stockton California that I drove my old 65' Olds Cutlass to the home of Paul Stagg, sat at his kitchen table with him...and ended up buying his father Amos Alonzo Stagg's personal football player bookends....in 1988 I believe it was....but that's a story for another time.

http://www.hagginmuseum.org/exhibitions

/leyendecker/

The Haggin Museum's collection of original works by Leyendecker represents the largest held by any museum and was assembled in the 1950s by former director Earl Rowland (1890-1963). An admirer of the artists of the "Golden Age of American Illustration," Rowland contacted some of the companies Leyendecker had worked for to solicit donations. He also contacted individuals, such as the artist's sister, Augusta Leyendecker, who had inherited a number of his original canvases. His respect for the man led him to secure a headstone for the artist's unmarked grave in Woodlawn Cemetery, New York.

Carlton Hendricks Collection of

Joseph Leyendecker Football Posters

"Downed"

32 1/2" x 24 1/2"

Used for the cover of Nov. 1909 Century Illustrated Monthly

-Also 1916 Harvard Yale Program

"Goal"

36 3/4" x 30 1/2"

Used for the cover of Nov. 1909 The Popular Magazine

Univ. Pennsylvania 27 1/2" x 19 1/2"

Used for the cover of Nov 14,. 1908

Sat. Evening Post

Antiques and the Arts Weekly Leyendecker cover story Oct. 2nd 2009 Click here to r


Close in of Catcher	Front page Antiques and the Arts Weekly Oct 2, 2009	Close in of Leyendecker Signature

LEYENDECKER'S ARE RARE

Over the twenty three years I've been collecting, I have only come across a handful of Leyendecker sports posters...probably more football than any sport. I was pleased to see my poster's catcher illustration on the cover of the Oct. 9th 2009 edition of Antiques and Arts Weekly. It had been included as part of a story on Leyendecker.

IT'S UNIQUENESS

As I've pointed out, generally any antique sports event poster is rare, but ones by recognizable teams or schools are more so. And within the few of them that have survived, probably about half of them will have some kind of illustration. And about half the illustrated ones are of decent art quality. However, I don't recall ever seeing an antique sports event poster illustrated by a major American illustrator. Much less by one as celebrated as Leyendecker. So I know it's a very rare poster in terms of art quality and it's pretty much a stand alone example of a sports event poster by a big name illustrator. Leyendecker did do a football poster for the University of Pennsylvania, but it wasn't an event poster, but one that celebrated football at U.P., and is more an art poster. Amazingly I did once have a high school poster that employed the same image as the U.P. one, but with a red jersey.

Possible stock images by Leyendecker

Close in of Purdue vs Northwestern Leyendecker catcher

Leyendecker 14" x 22" High School

football poster

LEYENDECKER'S SHREWDNESS

The two anomalies of the high school and this Purdue vs. Northwestern seems to imply business acumen on Leyendecker's part. That is, I speculate Leyendecker moved to extract all he could monetarily from his work by selling his archived work from former projects to printing firms to be used as stock images. I don't know the proprietary mechanics of how that worked for images that had been commissioned by the likes of the Saturday Evening Post, as this catcher was. But I do know a high school used the same basic illustration of the football kicker that was used for a Saturday Evening Post cover and that a high school would not typically hire a nationally recognized artist to illustrate a poster. University of Pennsylvania maybe, high school no...and I doubt Northwestern would either.

The J.C. Leyendecker Mansion,

New Rochelle N.Y.

The other indicator of Leyendecker squeezing profit from his work took place later in his life. According to accounts he lived in a mansion in New Rochelle New York and put on lavish parties. So based on that we know he was a spender. But it's reported that late in life he had to let his household staff go and he and his family attempted to keep up the mansion by themselves. Which indicates he didn't save for rainy days, which again implies he was a heavy spender during the good years of his career and may have needed to sell some of his old illustrations as stock images to help support an extravagant life style. If that's how it played out, it was a boon for poster collectors. Although this is the only example of this poster I've seen in twenty three years of collecting.

Purdue vs. Northwestern baseball poster in action

* * *

Please et us know what you think of

this feature, and what kinds of things you

would like to see on Sports Antique of the Week

comments@sportsantiques.com

To Purdue vs. Northwestern Baseball Poster

SPORTS ANTIQUE

OF THE WEEK

Dec. 20th- 26th 2009

Standout items

by SportsAntiques.com

THIS WEEKS FEATURE

c1890 VICTORIAN

MOVEABLE DIE CUT

FOOTBALL PLAYER

DELUXE EXTRA LARGE & EMBOSSED

13" TALL 10 1/2" WIDE

......I date it to about c1890 based on the players long

hair (early players believed it provided protection), no head gear, and his union suit. The use of head gear started

about 1890 so this helps date it.......

FEATURING MOVEABLE POSITIONS

PRINCETON UNIVERSITY COLORS

Ryan Simsls CA

own, TN

Mike ,or, MI

, KY


Back			$20 Compare

Overview by Carlton Hendricks

I got this die cut football player back in 2008 from Dave Perry. I saw it while shooting his collection in Illinois for the finale' of my 2008 National story. I expressed interest in it and Dave said we could probably work something out. Later after I got home we agreed on $100.00 but I sent him $140.00 because it's just such a great piece. I knew if I saw it at a highbrow book show or if the right dealer had it, it would probably be priced around $400.00, maybe more. That is if it were in just a little better shape. Both feet have been taped back on. Other than that it's in pretty nice condition. Dave said it was an eBay pick up, and that he's not really into paper that much.

SPECIAL FEATURES

This is one of the nicest Victorian sports die cuts I've seen. I date it to about c1890 based on the players long hair ( early players believed it provided protection), no head gear, and his union suit. The use of head gear started about 1890 so this helps date it. Moreover the union suit clearly reveals it is American, or at least was intended for the American market. Then there's the excellent illustration art quality, particularly in the facial expression. Lastly it's limbs are moveable and it's embossed. Both special features that notch it up there pretty good.


5 1/4" tall die cut trade cards issued by A.G. Spalding

THE GENERA

To help understand and appreciate this piece I'll explain that there weren't a lot of Victorian era sports die cuts to begin with. That is, ones produced in the late 19th to early 20th century. The most commonly seen are the Spalding's. The A.G. Spalding sporting goods concern issued a series of 5 1/4" tall die cuts of different athletes around 1890 with advertising on the back. You see them in auctions now and then and they go for $200.00 to $400.00 depending on condition. I've also seen some similar ones by McLaughlin's Coffee and some by Enamaline Stove Polish. All these would be in the trade card category. Then there were what are called "scrap" die cuts that were produced for pasting into albums. Scrap booking was a major diversion of the Victorian era before radio and television. I'm not an authority but I believe many of the scrap images were printed in Germany and perhaps England for the American market.

Polo players die cut scrap 6 3/16" wide 4 1/8" tall

ORIGIN

Ironically, though I say this football player is great and rare I actually don't know what it is, what it's purpose was, who made it, or where and how it was sold. There's no makers mark, and since there's no advertising on it I don't know if it was intended as anything more than a novelty. The only thing I can think to identify it is the black and orange sleeves and stockings. Clearly those are Princeton colors, so it's possible it might have been produced and sold to promote Princeton football. My feeling is it may have been printed in Germany. I once had a 24 1/4" by 11 3/8" print of a cowgirl that was also embossed. Similar quality and same c1890 vintage as this football player. Though it looked all American as could be, it was printed in Germany.

Single Sculler die cut scrap 5 1/2" wide

SPECULATION

Since there aren't any markings on it we're left to speculate on who and where it was produced. My Oct. 25th- 31st 2009 Sports Antique of the Week was a children's book called "Freddy's Football". While researching it I learned one of the book's authors Ernest Nister, was recognized for producing moveable children's picture books in Germany in the late 19th century. I also learned of another pioneer in moveable books, Raphael Tuck and Sons, also in Germany in the late 19th century. Our football player die cut would probably be considered a moveable doll, but does fall in the same juvenilia category as moveable books. It's possible Nister or the Tuck concern could have produced it. McLoughlin Brothers of New York would be another candidate.

8 Man crew team die cut scrap 5 1/2" wide

We may never know for sure this pieces origins, but it's fun trying figure it out. Here's a final tally of the clues:

* Victorian style graphics

* Chromolithographed and embossed

* Hinged moveable limbs

* Large 13" height

* Hair and costume are American

* Facial expression has exceptional

* Very rare, only known example

I've never gotten around to framing it, but it deserves a good frame. For the time being I just have it in a clear plastic sleeve and stuff it with some bound Yale News books.

* * *

Please et us know what you think of

this feature, and what kinds of things you

would like to see on Sports Antique of the Week

comments@sportsantiques.com

Go to c1890 Football Die Cut Page

SPORTS ANTIQUE

OF THE WEEK

Dec. 13th-19th 2009

Standout items

by SportsAntiques.com

THIS WEEKS FEATURE

BAILEY

CHAMPIONSHIP

PRIZE

18" wide x 15 tall

c1888 Sterling Silver Plaque

By Bailey Banks & Biddle, Philadelphia PA.

Twenty Three Portraits of Athletic Endeavor

Awarded by the Amateur Athletic Union of the U.S., National championship perpetual trophy 1888-1891

Likely the world's finest example of it's genera

collection of author

.…anyway…I see this plaque and the relief work is so fine I had to study it hard. The title “Bailey Championship Prize” was in high relief and very c1890 art nouveau. It had about twenty…actually twenty three individual portraits done in low relief, of athletes in various athletic endeavor and it was incredible......

I’ve been going to the Alameda Point Antiques fair for years, it’s a once a month outdoor affair directly across the bay from San Francisco, you can clearly see the SF city skyline as you walk the show, comes first Sunday of every month. Actually I wrote a story on the show a long time ago that you can read here

In all the years I’ve been going to the show, up till the plaque we’re about to look at, I’d never found anything really ground shaking in sports, at least in my area of antique display pieces. As much footwork as I’ve put in, that is amazing. So last month I dutifully trudged thru it once more….but this time I hit the mother load!

Towards the back of the show I came to a booth that put my radar on full alert leaning against a black pickup was a 18” wide by 15” tall silver plaque that really caught me by surprise…You know how it is when you’ve been looking long and hard....and when you see something great you have to sort of stop and try to think clearly about what you’re seeing….kind of like you’re dreaming it…anyway…I see this plaque and the relief work is so fine I had to study it hard. The title “Bailey Championship Prize” was in high relief and very c1890 art nouveau. It had about twenty…actually twenty three individual portraits done in low relief, of athletes in various athletic endeavor and it was incredible. I thought it was silver plate. There wasn’t a price tag but from the looks of the booth I basically figured it would be under priced…partly because it looked like it would be worth what ever you had to pay.

So the seller is talking away to customers big time. Finally I got tired of waiting and sort of interrupted. Pointing to it I asked, how much for the plaque….$__________ he said….top retail…enough to choke a herd of reindeer. I was kind of stunned. I thought for a second. Now usually if I think a guy’s way out of line I never say a thing…just thanks and walk away…it’s their piece, people have a right to ask what ever they want. However in this case I was very seriously interested. I figured if I was going to grind him I’d give it everything I had….the guy's fishing I thought, I'll knock him out of his tree..... $__________? I'll show you $__________.......this guy's going down...this shouldn't take long I figured...

So without hesitating….about two seconds after he gave me the price I shot back….I repeated his price loud and clear with mock shock. The guy looks at me and didn’t even flinch. With complete confidence he goes to me…“Is there some reason I shouldn’t get $_________?”….My plan didn’t work…as a matter of fact it backfired…I actually semi alienated him. He says to me….I know you….you’re the guy that never buys anything…you just take a bunch of photos. Boy did he have me pegged…he was right…I never buy anything…..unless it’s what I want…and let’s face it….how many dealers are gonna have what I want?…..

So….we discuss the piece….he gives me what he knows pretty straight up. I told him I think it might be English. I came on it so fast I hadn’t had time to sort it out…that is…what it was, how much I would pay, who made it, etc. He said he thought it might be English too. I sort of thought it was; particularly since there wasn’t a baseball player in it…but on the other hand no cricket. So I couldn’t quite get a handle what I was looking at. Anyway….the guy was completely adamant on the $__________ He said he would not come down at all and if he didn‘t sell it would just go back home with him…And I could tell it wasn’t because of what I said…he just wasn’t interested in taking less…said it would go back on his wall…(right…it didn’t even have away to hang it). Anyway….he actually seemed pretty straight forward about everything. I asked him where he’d gotten it and he said in San Francisco (I think he said)..and that he’d gotten it as payment for doing an art appraisal…and that his fee for doing the appraisal was $1,000.00. And he went on…that Heritage wanted it but he didn’t like auction house fees…but that they wanted it…and something about the $figure$ they thought they could get for it yada yada. Which of course I could have construed as a threat but I just ignored it….So finally I said something to the effect I might make an offer….the guy goes to me again…that he wouldn’t take less than what he quoted me…

Now I found that almost confusing. I mean, what dealer doesn’t at least listen to an offer. It really didn’t add up….just didn’t really make sense to me….but he was serious..so…I walked. Of course I mended the fence before leaving and admitted I was just trying to shake him out with the initial pony show …that I just had to see where he was. He seemed ok with it, and we parted amicably. But I did go back several times over the course of the morning to look at it again. Each time there was no indication he would come off the $____________ . The guy was tough as nails. So anyway... I left. The following Sunday was the Sacramento Antiques Fair and I knew the dealer sets up there. I went hoping to see the plaque again but he wasn’t there.

As the month wore on I couldn’t find much at all on the internet about a Bailey Championship Prize plaque, so I emailed my friend Tom Cardiopoli in Cape Cod…

EMAIL TO TOM CARDIOPOLI:

c1890 Multi Sport Relief Plaque

18" wide x 15" tall
Bailey Championship Prize in HIGH RELIEF....athlete portraits in low relief

http://sportsantiques.com/scullerinkwell .htm

Tom, FYI, Check out the attached photos plus the inkwell in this link above....about the plaque, silver plate, ...found last Sunday at a large outdoor show (Alameda Point)...wanted $__________ ...said got for doing an art appraisal??...said $__________ was it...I was thinking maybe $__________ as it's probably English..(no baseball)...but on the other hand no cricket either...but the guy wasn't open to offers so walked...after kept coming back and looking at it 5 times!...photographs terrible...plus needs polishing bad...because of the high wheel bike it could be as early as 1880.....your opinion? -Carlton

TOM CARDIOPOLI’S EMAIL REPLY:

Carleton - the Plaque is FANTASTIC - it is solid silver I believe - and DEFINITELY American. Here is a short notice about the "Bailey Championship Prize" from the front page of "Sporting Life":

From the Sept 9th, 1888 “Sporting Life”

(headline)The A. A. U. Championship.
A solid silver prize in the shape of n plaque handsomely mounted and framed, has been presented by Bailey, Bunks & Diddle, through the Athletic Club of the Schuylkill Navy, to the Amateur Athletic Union of the U. S. The Prize represents players engaged in the twenty three varieties of sports under the jurisdiction
of the Union and is to be awarded each year to
the club making the best average in all of them. It is known us "The Bailey Championship Prize," and will be competed for September 19th at Detroit for the first time.

I am sure you know that Bailey, Banks & Biddle was a major Silver and Silver Plate manufacture - made stuff that was almost as good as Tiffany.

The Plaque must not have been given for very many years - the above reference is the only one I can find and it is likely that once high wheel bikes went out of style, this particular trophy was retired. It's American, its sterling silver, its beautiful - my guess is if the inkwell was worth $__________ , the plaque has to be worth $__________ !!

Good luck!!
Tom

LINK TO SPORTING LIFE REFERENCE

http://www.la84foundation.org/SportsLibrary/

SportingLife/1888/VOL_11_NO_24/SL1124001.pdf

END OF EMAIL CORRESPONDENCE

So….after learning all that it was a different ball game. First of all it was American which was all important, and if that wasn’t cool enough it was sterling silver not silver plate. But even so, the price was still tough for me to chew. Nevertheless, I was beginning to take the plaque a lot more serious. I emailed him to let him know I was still interested, but never heard back.

So…this last Sunday Dec. 6th , a full month after I initially found it, I went back to the Alameda Point show with $_______ in green folding cash, the full amount he was asking. Though I didn‘t want or expect to have to spend it all. I got there late around 1:00PM and it was a miserable freezing cold day. The dealers were already starting to pack up at 1:00PM. I headed back to the dealer with the plaque towards the back of the show. I didn’t see the plaque out, but he looked like he had just starting packing up….Hi how’s it going I said….Do you still have the plaque I asked….yes he said…still had it....did you get my email I asked…no, computer blew up he said....so have you softened up on the price I asked….no, I’ll just take it home if I don’t get it he said and launched into the same longstanding platitudes about keeping it. After a little chit chat I started to leave. As I did I said to him…how about giving me some wiggle room on this thing…..the guy says to me in a demanding way......Alright.... ….what’s wiggle room? Then he had me on the spot. As difficult to deal with as he’d been I couldn't take a chance of lowballing him into oblivion…So I knew I had to cough up a number that was at least respectable….like I say he really had me on the spot….$_________ I said, which was $1,000.00 less than he what he was asking….three seconds later he shot back with a $500.00 discount. Now he had my attention, it was a crack in the wall. It was significant but I still just couldn’t get behind the new discounted price. I himmed a minute and said let me think it over, I’ll take a walk, he said OK.

In the mean time I found a commercial meat slicer I’d always wanted for $130.00. After I wrapped up that deal for a practical item, I walked back by the plaque dealer. I thanked him for the discount and asked him if he still had my card in case he decides to take my offer. He said yes. Then I told him….you know I have green folding cash on me and we could do the deal right now! Today’s the day I told him, we can make it happen!...He thanked me and said he’d already come off a lot. I had kind of been convincing myself with all my talk about today’s the day etc….so I said…alright how about
$___________and I offered $200.00 over my initial offer….he shot back almost immediately with $__________ …$100.00 off his last offer, which put us at $200.00 apart….I tried the " I’m here now" card again…and he wouldn’t budge. So almost from fatigue I said OK $__________ which then made us $100 apart….and he immediately shot back with $__________ $50.00 over my last offer….so we were $50.00 apart…and I started to cave. I said bring it out let me take a look at it again…and I paid the $__________

Obviously it’s tarnished and needs polishing but I was concerned about doing it right…I got a hold of a silver repair guy in Southern Calif. I know and will take it to him for him to polish, he says it will look fantastic when it‘s done….then….I think I’ve decided on a cherry wood/deep dark red stained wood plaque to mount it on…and I think I’ll trace the outline to match the silver plaque with a nice routered edge….I’ll find a wood working shop to do make it.

All the info Tom supplied about the AAU awarding it in 1888 took a new turn also. I've now learned the AAU was founded in 1888...which probably makes this their first trophy. At the very least it’s very early and a significant piece of American history since the AAU was the most prominent athletic governing body in the United States in the late 19th century….I’m now in Contact with John Apostal Lucas, below a link to his writings:

http://www.eifrigenterprises.com/assets/PDF/lucas.pdf

Lucas has written about the history of the AAU, and I hope to learn more about my plaque from him. As well, Lucas is the official historian of the AOC (American Olympic Committee)….so it’s getting interesting! I‘ll keep you up on what I learn, plus I‘ll post photos after it’s polished and mounted. -Carlton

* * *

READ ALL THE INTERESTING CHATTER ABOUT THIS PLAQUE

ON NET54 CLICK HERE

See this April 5, 1890 N.Y. Times clipping below

that purports the plaque cost $2,000 in 1890.

A different March 18, 1888 N.Y. Times story

here claims the value was $500.00...which is true?

Please et us know what you think of

this feature, and what kinds of things you

would like to see on Sports Antique of the Week

comments@sportsantiques.com

go to Bailey Chamionship Prize plaque page

SPORTS ANTIQUE

OF THE WEEK

Dec. 6th- 12th 2009

Standout items

by SportsAntiques.com

THIS WEEKS FEATURE

c1924

FOUR HORSEMAN

LINIMENT

6" tall - Original box

Purchased by Carlton Hendricks

from Kregg Ruffner at 2007 National Sports Collectors Convention

Priced $300.00

click photos

Overview by Carlton Hendricks

I bought this bottle of Four Horseman liniment at the 2007 National from Kregg Ruffner of Indianapolis. You occasionally see vintage bottles of liniment for sale in the hobby that have sports graphics. Mostly they're just nice nick knack display pieces. I have a baseball one that is a good example. However, when I first saw this I immediately knew it was a whole different level. It was the first example I'd seen. Kregg explained to me a very important aspect, that the product was from the period. That is, it was actually produced and sold during the time Four Horseman were a sensation. As I recall, Kregg told me he had previously sold another example. And I think it was the one I saw the following year at the 08' National that Jim Augustine from South Bend Indiana had, and that I featured in my 08' National story here.

THE FOUR HORSEMAN OF NOTRE DAME

Jim

Crowley

1902-1986

Halfback
5'-11"

162Lb

Don

Miller

1902-1979

Halfback
5'-11"

160Lb

Elmer

Layden

1903-1973

Fullback
6'-0"

162Lb

Harry Stuhldreher

1901-1965

Quarterback
5'-7"

151Lb

The Four Horsemen of Notre Dame was a nickname given to the backfield comprised of quarterback Harry Stuhldreher, left halfback Jim Crowley, right halfback Don Miller, and fullback Elmer Layden, after the team's 13-7 victory over Army on October 18, 1924.

The backfield, devised by legendary coach Knute Rockne, was given the nickname by Grantland Rice, a sportswriter for the New York Herald-Tribune. Following that game, Rice wrote of the quartet:

"Outlined against a blue, gray October sky the Four Horsemen rode again. In dramatic lore they are known as famine, pestilence, destruction and death. These are only aliases. Their real names are: Stuhldreher, Miller, Crowley and Layden. They formed the crest of the South Bend cyclone before which another fighting Army team was swept over the precipice at the Polo Grounds this afternoon as 55,000 spectators peered down upon the bewildering panorama spread out upon the green plain below."

After the team arrived back in South Bend, Rockne's student publicity aide, George Strickler, posed the four, dressed in their uniforms, on the top of four horses for the now famous photo.

A 27-10 victory over Stanford in the 1925 (1924 season) Rose Bowl gave the group and the rest of the Notre Dame team an undefeated season and the National Championship.

During the quartet's tenure as the starting backfield (30 games), Notre Dame lost only twice, both to Nebraska.

United States postage stamp released 1998

None of the four were what anyone would call intimidating as men; none were taller than six feet, and none weighed more than 162 pounds. Yet they won 28 games in three seasons as a unit.

Stuhldreher was a 5-7, 151-pounder from Massillon, Ohio who became the starting quarterback four games into the 1922 season. Following his career at Notre Dame, he went on to be the athletic director and football coach at the University of Wisconsin.

Crowley, who stood at a modest 5-11, 162 pounds, was a native of Green Bay, Wis. and was nicknamed "Sleepy Jim." He would later coach Vince Lombardi at Fordham.

1936 board game by Cadaco

Layden, aside from his offensive skills, was also a star on defense as well. The fastest of the four was said to have run the 100-yard dash in 10 seconds. He later became head coach at Notre Dame, compiling a 47-13-3 record with the Irish. Both he and Crowley were consulted during the creation of the Heisman Trophy in 1935.

Miller, a 5-11, 160 pounder from Defiance, Ohio, followed his three brothers to Notre Dame. According to Rockne, Miller was the best open-field runner he ever coached. Following his playing career, Miller left coaching after four years at Georgia Tech to practice law in Ohio. He was appointed the District of Attorney of Northern Ohio by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Source: armchairgm.wikia.com

The Four Horseman signing autographs

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SPORTS ANTIQUE

OF THE WEEK

Nov. 22nd- 28th 2009

Standout items

by SportsAntiques.com

click photos

THIS WEEKS FEATURE

c1950

JOE DIMAGGIO

IAUTOGRAPHEDI

YANKEE STADIUM

POPCORN

VENDORS HAT

Obtained personally by Carlton Hendricks while escorting him to his room

Read all the details

click to see high resolution close up of autograph

By Carlton Hendricks

I've already written a story on the time I got Joe D. to sign a copy of Hobby Builder magazine with a picture of him on the cover playing with his trains, but this is about a different time. That first time was when I was just giving him a ride in a golf cart at the hotel I work at. But this story is about the time I actually roomed him. He came with his grand daughter and her kids, at least I think that was the family connection. Anyway, they had a bunch of luggage and it was my job as a bellman to escort them all to their rooms.

We were expecting him and I had it worked out with my supervisor that I wanted to check him in when he got there. I was way on the opposite side the property doing a check in when I got the call on the radio he was there, about 2 mile distance. I wrapped up that check in a matter of minutes and hit the accelerator.

When I got back to the bell desk the supervisor had it all worked out. He was waiting for a bellman in the parking lot. I hopped on one of our big people mover bell carts and headed for him. There he was nonchalant waiting with his family. I loaded up all their luggage and drove them all to their rooms.

Using the old noggin, I prudently asked Joe if he wanted to take his granddaughter and kids to their room first;
which of course he said yes to. If I was going to impose for an autograph, I didn't want to do it in front of his family. I had an old Yankee's popcorn vendors hat I brought with me, which I'd picked up at a card show.

Once the family was ditched, we headed to Joe's room. Other than I was nervous inside, but cool on the outside, it was just a typical check in. He didn't have much luggage and I recall the one suitcase he had was strikingly old, like late 1960's old. I mentioned to him something to the effect, "that's a pretty old suitcase Mr. DiMaggio". He boasted back the to the effect "That suitcase has been all around the world"...and that he'd just gotten back from Japan. Somehow we ended up back outside his room next to the cart when he gave me my tip, which I should have framed, darn it. And then I went for it. I very nicely and politely pulled out my vendors hat and asked if he would autograph it.

I remember the way he handled it...without looking at me he held out his hand open palm for a pen...like he was so jaded by years of giving autographs he knew the routine well and had it down. Like hey buddy, have the pen ready if you're going to bug me!. It was kind of striking....
but I didn't say a word. I always have a pen on me and handed it pronto. I don't think he remembered me from the time before I got his autograph. He didn't seem surprised I asked, but he did seem a little curious about the vendors hat. I guess it wasn't the usual thing people asked him to sign. He signed it and kind of looked at it, and asked me if it had been my hat. Like did I used to sell popcorn at Yankee Stadium kind of question. I told him no I'd just gotten it at a card show. I'm pretty sure I politely
asked him to date it. It looks like he signed it on the 21st. It's interesting the way he wrote the date. It looks like he started to write it 8/21/95 but stopped at the slash after the 8, then put the slashes under and down, like he intentionally wrote the date between the word peanuts and the red Yankee logo. He also wrote his name around the top of the red circle instead of thru it, which is interesting. That was nice he did it with some precision.

And that was it, I was out'a there; mission accomplished!. He did yell at me as I was driving off..."that's the last one Carlton"....Just kidding he didn't do that. But that was the last one, I never saw him again. He died about four years latter in 1999.

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SPORTS ANTIQUE

OF THE WEEK

November 15th- 21st 2009

Standout items

by SportsAntiques.com

click photos

THIS WEEKS FEATURE

c1905

CALAMITY MECHANICAL BANK

Made of cast iron by J&E Stevens

6" tall by 4 1/2" wide by 7 1/2" deep

Auctioned 12/11/08 by Morphy's, Denver PA

Sold for $33,500.00

click photos

......I have some unanswered questions about Dr. James Bowen's influence that prompted him to make a football bank. He was from Philadelphia Pennsylvania; did he watch some University of Pennsylvania football games? Penn was a major team in American football around the turn of the 19th century. J&E Stevens was in Cromwell Connecticut which is only 30 miles from New Haven, the home of the Yale Bulldogs, among the biggest names in football when this bank was made. Did Bowen get a flash of brilliance to make a football bank while watching the Bulldogs? I speculate he probably did go to some college games and would have at least been influenced if by the wild popularity of the game........

This Calamity mechanical bank sold for $33,500.00 in Morphy's auction December 2008. Calamity banks were made of cast iron by the J. & E. Stevens Company of Cromwell, Connecticut, 1843-1950s. Dr. James H. Bowen of Philadelphia 1877-1906 was the inventor and designer of the Calamity. Three spring loaded football players, a ball carrier flanked by two tacklers, make up the bank's action. It is activated by first pulling back the tacklers and cocking them in place. The ball carrier automatically slides on a track to the rear as this is done. A coin is then placed in a slot in front of the players. A small bowed lever at the front right is then pushed, and the ball carrier quickly slides/snaps about three inches forward while the tacklers swing/snap forward and surround the ball carrier. Simultaneously the coin drops down into a chamber. The Calamity is one of 43 cast iron mechanical banks J&E Stevens produced, and is one of the rarest, with the most action. It's kind of a bummer if you owned one, you couldn't really play with it much, as the football players literally collide and cause paint loss. Which of course devalues them.

There were almost endless themes of mechanical banks produced around the turn of the 19th century but there were only two important sports related banks of mention. The Calamity football, and the Darktown Battery baseball. Both were designed by Bowen. I have wanted a calamity for a long time but haven't nailed one yet. Actually it's sort of a hole in my toy collection. But they're just so expensive, I can buy a lot of $tuff for what it would take to buy one.

EXAMPLES OF SOME OF THE MANY CAST IRON MECHANICAL BANKS PRODUCED AT THE TURN OF THE 19TH CENTURY

I have some unanswered questions about Dr. James Bowen's influence that prompted him to make a football bank. He was from Philadelphia Pennsylvania; did he watch some University of Pennsylvania football games? Penn was a major team in American football around the turn of the 19th century. J&E Stevens was in Cromwell Connecticut which is only 30 miles from New Haven, the home of the Yale Bulldogs, among the biggest names in football when this bank was made. Did Bowen get a flash of brilliance to make a football bank while watching the Bulldogs? I speculate he probably did go to some college games and would have at least been influenced if by the wild popularity of the game. I do know the ball carrier came in a choice of blue or red sleeves. Blue would have represented Yale and red Harvard. I doubt we'll ever know for sure but something had to turn the gears of inspiration which resulted in this bank.

** ** **

AUCTION PRICES REALIZED FOR CALAMITY BANKS MARCH 1996- DECEMBER 2008

Bertoia Auctions B, Morphy Auctions M, RSL Auctions R.

Mar. 1996 (B)
Oct. 1996 (B)
Jun. 1998 (B)
May 1998 Sax, Perelman (B)
Oct. 1998 (B)
Oct. 1999 (B)
Apr. 2000 (B)
Oct. 2000 (B)
May 2001 (B)
Sep. 2001 Norman (B)
Nov. 2001 (B)
Jun. 2002 (B)
Oct. 2002 (B)
Apr. 2004 (B)
Sep. 2004 (M)
Sep. 2005 (M)
Nov. 2005 (B)
Nov. 2005 Ayer (R)
Apr. 2006 (M)
Jun. 2006 (M)
Jun. 2006 (M)
Jun. 2006 Knops (R)

Jun. 2007 Mosler, Rodrigue (R)
Oct. 2007 Steckbeck (M)
Mar. 2008 Goldstein (R)
Oct. 2008 (R)
Dec. 2008 (M)
Dec. 2008 (M)

Pristine
Very good
Excellent
Near mint, with original box
Fair
Very good
Excellent
Pristine
Very good, replaced gear & left tackle
Near Mint, with box (no lid)
Excellent
Replaced figures
Pristine
Excellent, repair & crack
Near mint
Excellent, hairline crack at rt. tackler
Touch up & repairs, very good
Very fine, some restoration to rt. tackler
Near mint
Exc., left tackler replaced, gear rep'd
VG, gear repair, red redone on back
Excellent, minor restoration to left tackler
Very fine
Near mint plus, with box (no lid)
Pristine
Fine, left tackler & one gear replaced
Near mint
Excellent, early repaint to red

$44,000
$9,900
$16,500
$90,500
$12,100
$12,100
$19,800
$19,800
$7,700
$73,700
$12,100
$4,500
$34,100
$23,100
$22,000
$21,280
$5,225
$16,000
$19,040
$5,500
$4,400
$16,100
$11,115
$69,000
$35,250
$8,225
$33,350
$6,325

Courtesy Mechanical Bank Collectors of America

www.mechanicalbanks.org

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SPORTS ANTIQUE

OF THE WEEK

Nov. 1st- 7th 2009

Standout items

by SportsAntiques.com

THIS WEEKS FEATURE

c1900

SINGLE SHELL

SCULLER INKWELL

length: 12 3/4 inch
depth: 5 3/8 inch
height: 2 7/8 inch

Silver plate with copper oars,

No markings - possibly French

2006 Price $2,000.00 - collection of author

Front Side

Back Side

Long View

Sculler Close-in

Front Side

Back Side

Underside

In Lineup on coffee table

Overview by Carlton Hendricks

I found this on eBay back a few years ago, but the way I got it was a little unusual. At the time there were some pretty aggressive rowing collectors going after good rowing pieces on eBay. I speculated this piece could get out of hand so I offered the seller $2,000.00 to close the auction. Coincidently the seller who was in France, was going to be in San Francisco shortly, like about two weeks. I live in the bay area so we made a deal. He would close it and bring it to San Francisco and I would meet him and pay cash.

Worked out perfect. The guy did exactly as he said and I met him in the lobby of his hotel and we made the deal right there. Going in I was apprehensive about meeting a stranger in the Barbary Coast with two g's in cash on me...I'd seen that episode of Bonanza where Little Joe gets kidnapped in San Francisco and was wise! So I brought a friend....but no need...the seller and his wife were most pleasant and we actually had a nice visit...a win win.

As for the piece...well...I wouldn't have paid $2,000.00 if it wasn't something special. This is the kind of piece you always hope to walk into an antiques shows and find....but never do. Needless to say it's very rare. Essentially it's sculpture...they just used the inkwell aspect as an excuse to make a nice statue of a sculler. As for quality....I wouldn't say it's tiffany's quality, but it is good quality and well finished. There isn't a shred of a marking to research. I've looked in every crevasse, literally with a magnifying glass and nada...absolutely nothing....not even numbers. All I can go on to date it is the costume of the sculler. He has on the standard shorts and sort of tank top type shirt early rowers wore. But it's his billed cap and period style moustache that impress' me to date it to roughly the turn of the 19th century. For the sake of simplicity, I'm going with c1900, but it could be as early as 1880. As for national origin...well....it was bought out of France. However it could have migrated there from England. I'd guess it's French of English.

Based on the waves, the style is clearly Art Nouveau. Inkwells are an interesting collectible in that they were made in seemingly endless themes. If you go on eBay and look at the ones under Collectibles > Pens & Writing Instruments > Inkwells, you'll be amazed at all the different ones.

boy scout inkwell

revolver Inkwell

stag inkwell

Sledding inkwell

As for this sculler, it's very rare. I doubt it's the only example but I've never seen another. I would place it in the category of being one of the top decorative rowing antiques in the world. Boy are things like this hard to find! I've been looking high and low for stuff like this more than twenty one years and like I say, it's the only one I know of.

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SPORTS ANTIQUE

OF THE WEEK

Oct. 25th- 31st 2009

Standout items

by SportsAntiques.com

THIS WEEKS FEATURE

c1890

FREDDY'S FOOTBALL

10 inch diameter die cut

Color illustrated children's book

makers marks:

Ernest Nister,

London

Printed in Bavaria

E.P Dutton & Co.

New York

Fourteen pages - illustrated throughout

CLICK PHOTOS

When school is over and work is done,

Then don't we have some splendid fun,

We begin in wintry weather

To inflate the ball of leather

Then we skate and pile the snow

Till our cheeks are all aglow

Then we shall fish till sunny June

Makes the birdies sing in tune

And we stand against a wicket

To enjoy a game of cricket,

Fly Kites, spin tops, run races,

Play at leap frog in strange places,

Till you hear the old folks say,

As they watch us at our play,

"Ah! it's fun to be young and gay,

Enjoy life while you may!"

CLICK PHOTOS

Page 1-2

Last week I went in an antiques store in Sacramento CA and found this book. I was taken back as I'd never seen it before. The dealer said he got it from someone who came in his store selling a bunch of paper and he picked it out. The fact it's die cut really makes it special! It's got some tears in some pages and the binding is loose. But it's not too bad, and the cover still looks good. The dealer had $25.00 on it and I got it for $20.00. If this were in excellent condition I estimate it would sell for $500.00 - $600.00 at an antiquarian book show.

The genera of Victorian children's books is an interesting one. The king of Victorian juvenile illustration in the United States during the late 19th century to early 20th century was Mcloughlin Bros. Mainly they produced board games and children's books.

I only know of once sports related book Mcloughlin put out; that was the ABC Baseball book, which goes for major money like $2,000.00 to $3,000.00 if you can find a copy. They are so rare I can't even recall seeing one for sale, except maybe once in Robert Edward years ago.

I don't recall ever seeing a Victorian juvenile football themed book. So when I saw this, I was taken back. Admittedly it is English, and I prefer American...but it's such a great book, being die cut especially, all is forgiven. Actually it appears partly American after all, though it is essentially English. Let me explain. The maker markings indicate it was produced by Ernest Nister of

London, who was very a prominent producer of children's books in the late 19th-early 20th century, see here for a long list of books he produced. The book is also marked E.P Dutton & Co. New York. It's not perfectly clear what the connection was between E.P. Dutton and Earnest Nister but I speculate Dutton imported the book for the American market. I found a reference from the University of North Texas that address the Dutton-Nister connection see here. I also found a reference on google for an December 1894 "The Book Buyer" catalog that lists the Freddy's Football book, see here. So that confirms it from the 1890's! I also found a place on the web that sells art prints of this book, see here

Page 3-4

Page 5-6

Page 7-8

Page 9-10

Page 11-12

Page 13-14

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SPORTS ANTIQUE

OF THE WEEK

Oct.18th- 24th 2009

Standout items

by SportsAntiques.com

THIS WEEKS FEATURE

click photos

click for

close in view

c1900

Art Nouveau Style Silver Plate

POCKET WATCH

with

Swimming Scene Relief

2 3/4" diameter

likely of Italian-Swiss origin

Possibly the world's finest swimming pocket watch

Sold on eBay March 2nd 2009 for $260.00

Overview by Carlton Hendricks

You're seeing what is possibly the nicest swimming motif pocket watch extant. If there is a nicer, I'd be very interested to see it. I got this off eBay back in early March of this year 2009 for $260.00. I've never seen another example, and I don't recall seeing a pocket watch this big, 2 3/4" diameter. Also it's quite weighty. I know sculpture , and the relief work on this watch is very good. I took a bunch of shots of it; trying to capture the detail and finally got one that you can see what looks like a steamer ship just right of dead center.

A remarkable/humorous aspect of this purchase was my bidding, or I should say sniping technique. Apparently, from my snipe records I was undecided as to how much to bid and waited till 16 minutes before it closed to load snipe bids.

At 6:41 PM on Monday, March 02, 2009 I loaded a snipe bid of $228.88

At 6:46 PM I loaded another snipe bid of $255.88

Then again at 6:46 PM I upped it to $258.88

Then at 6:47 PM I upped it again to $261.88

Then at 6:57 PM I won it for $260.00 plus the juice

Item # Item Title Qty. Price
290297815011 ca1905 SILVER ART NOUVEAU POCKET WATCH SWIMMING TROPHY 1 US $260.00

Subtotal: US $260.00
Shipping and handling via US Postal Service Priority Mail:
US $6.95
Shipping insurance (required): US $4.60

Total: US $271.55

That's what you call cutting it close!! Obviously a God thing!

The seller of this watch was Tom Cardaropoli of Cape Cod. Tom's eBay handle is "Walnutts". Tom is one of eBay's most prolific sellers of American antiques of all genera. Every week he has about fifty items, from 19th century toys to, civil war, to sports items. Pretty much everything he sells is rare and quality rich. Often when I see something great I immediately wonder if it's Tom's and very often it is.

Tom said he got this with in an auction in California, (where I live), and that he paid more than I did!

3/13/09

Carlton,
Sorry I haven't gotten back to you. Got your check Wednesday and the Watch went out on Thursday. Sorry - I got nothing on the History of the Watch. I bought it at an auction in California (internet bidding has changed the world!!!) - actually spent a little more than you did on it but I thought it was a KILLER!! When I got it I was NOT disappointed - it really is beautiful!! Everything I was able to find out about it was included in the description - not much but all that I could find. You really will love this one - another steal for Hendricks!!
Take Care and Thanks,

Tom

The details are so fine the photos don't capture them completely. As I was considering bidding, I couldn't make out for sure if they were wearing swimming suits or were nude...if they were nude, the deal was history, I wouldn't have been interested. So I emailed Tom.

2/23/09

Carlton,
The men are wearing Victorian bathing suits - one piece with short legs and straps at the shoulder (like a college wrestling uniform). All of the guys have beards or mustaches.
Tom

Tom's description of the watch that he posted with the listing was so exhaustive I'm going post it, it's just too good not to.

Very Rare and stunningly beautiful, ca1905 Massive, Sterling Silver "Swimming Trophy" Pocket Watch with a fantastic, Art Nouveau scene of Swimming and Diving. The movement in this simply amazing, Monumental Pocket Watch is 22 size and the Case measures approx. 2 3/4” in diameter. Please bear with us as we are not Pocket watch experts and will try to describe this beautiful “Sporting” Pocket Watch as best we can. The Watch is VERY heavy. The case features elaborate, Art Nouveau designs on the bezel, the rim of the rear cover and on the swing handle on the stem. What makes this Watch extra special, however is the fantastic scene pictured in the center of the rear cover. Here we see what appears to be an indoor swimming pool scene. At the top a male swimmer has launched himself into a dive and is stretching toward the water. At the lower left another man is climbing a ladder out of the pool while a third bearded man swims up behind him. In the center foreground is what appears to be a life preserver being held upright by stylized waves and in the background we can see what looks like a crowd of spectators. This wonderful, flowing image that covers the back cover of the watch is the epitome of Art Nouveau design and although there is no engraving on the Watch, we can only assume that it was meant as some type of award or trophy for a swimming or diving competition.

The face of the Watch is a striking, white porcelain dial with black numbers and tiny, raised gold dots rimming the edge of the Dial. The original hands are present and also gold gilt. We are unsure of the maker of the Watch or even its country of origin but the lettering on the face reads “Cronometro Ancora” - individually these word translate from Italian as “stopwatch” and “still” - we believe that they may be in Swiss-Italian and have a different meaning but we are unsure. We would greatly appreciate any information that would help with identification of this beautiful Timepiece. The inside back cover has text at the top that reads “Remontoir Nouveaute” (we believe this might mean “new winding” and at the bottom “Perfectionne” (“Perfection”?). Between these words is an image of Exposition Prize Medals and the dates “1889 - 1898 - 1900 - 1901” - apparently the Expositions at which this Watch won Medals for excellence. The movement is not marked in any way and, although it appears original to the Watch, we have no clue as to the maker. The watch is stem wind and set. Although all internal balance wheels rotate freely and smoothly, the Watch is not working - winding knob rotates freely but only moves the hands of the Watch and does not engage the winding mechanism (we are having a watch repairman take a look at the watch and will report on the condition of the movement further).

This very rare and VERY beautiful, large size Swimming Trophy Pocket Watch is physically in very good condition. The case is sound and intact with no breaks, nicks, bends, dings, repairs or damage of any kind. There is some age appropriate wear to the high spots of the image on the rear cover but it is hard to tell what is light wear and what can be attributed to the “softness” of the original Art Nouveau design. We have not polished the case and it retains a warm and beautiful surface patina - it will shine up brilliantly if the buyer so wishes. The dial of the Watch is in outstanding, original condition - clean and beautiful with no cracks, chips, abrasions, repairs or damage of any kind. The very thick, beveled crystal is original - clear and quite beautiful with no scratches, chips, flakes, repairs or damage of any kind. This is far and away the largest and most beautifully cased Antique Pocket Watch we have ever handled and the Sporting subject make it even more desirable. A VERY rare and VERY beautiful, ca1905 Large Size, Sterling Silver Swimming Trophy type Pocket Watch and a fantastic addition to any collection!!

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SPORTS ANTIQUE

OF THE WEEK

Oct.11th- 17th 2009

Standout items

by SportsAntiques.com

THIS WEEKS FEATURE

click photos - click photos

Photographed on location

All American Antiques Show, Glendale Calif.

c1880

VIENNA BRONZE

"Two Strikes"

BASEBALL STATUE

4" tall

One of the finest baseball statues ever produced

1998 Price $10,000.00

Overview by Carlton Hendricks

I'm restarting up Sports Antique of the week beginning today after a ten week absence. My dad passed away September 3rd 2009 so I've been getting my head together, plus just plain procrastinating. I decided to start back out with a bang...as this Vienna bronze is one the greatest sports antiques on the planet.

Without reservation I can say you're looking at one of the finest baseball statues you will ever see. This is what's referred to as a Vienna bronze. Vienna bronzes were produced in Vienna Austria from the late 19th century to about 1920. They're usually about one inch tall, though they can vary from about one half inch to about four inches. They are usually described as "cold painted" which just simply means they're painted. They come in very wide variety of subjects. Many of the ones you see at antiques shows would have appealed to Victorian era women. Typically you'll see a lot of animals, some doing humorous things like cats playing tennis etc. Often they would be described as fanciful and whimsical. Along with all these attributes, they are foremost recognized for their fine detail and casting. Intuition tells me these little sculptures caught on internationally, and many studios sprung up around Vienna to produce and export them around the world. Probably most commonly they were sold in fine gift and jewelry stores in large cities, and perhaps thru catalogs.

There weren't many sports themed Vienna bronzes produced. I have a soccer group click here and two boxers...and then there was this baseball one...Back when I saw this I didn't know enough to look for markings as to who produced it. However I would be surprised if it wasn't done by Franz Xavier Bergman who is considered the most prolific producer of Vienna bronzes.

And now we come to how I came across this incredible work. It must have been about twelve to fourteen years ago I went to the Art Deco show in San Francisco....as I made my way around the show looking for anything sports related I came to the booth of Off the Wall Antiques, from Los Angeles. Within the previous year I had bought an incredible c1910 bronze trophy plaque for a polo match in New Orleans Louisiana. From that purchase they had gotten to know me enough to know I liked sports sculpture. When I walked up to their booth one of the Dennis' (both owners are named Dennis) told me about a phenomenal Vienna bronze of a baseball batter and catcher they had just gotten. He described it and said it was so finely detailed you could remove the catchers mask. He said it was $10,000.00 and that it was back at a house they had rented for the week, and that if I wanted to see it, for me to come back at nine o'clock after the show closed and they would take me to see it. Both Dennis' are very open about everything. They told me they bought it right in the parking lot of the show for $5,000.00. Later I learned Chuck Morganstein of Woodchuck Antiques in San Francisco was who they bought it from.

At that time I was only vaguely familiar with Vienna bronzes from seeing them occasionally at antiques shows. I had never heard of a statue like he described, so I was determined to see it whether I could afford it or not. That meant hanging around San Francisco the rest of the day till nine o'clock. I spent the time going thru used book stores and came back as directed. I followed them back to their house and it was exactly as they described. I was so taken back I literally forgot to take photos. Unable to afford it, all I could do was go home and think about it.

About a month later I went to the All American Antiques show in Glendale Calif and Off the Wall was set up there and still had the statue for sale. They said they would let me have it for $8,000.00, but still I was out. But at least that time I took the photos of it you see above. Although that was before digital cameras so the ones you see above are digital photos I took of the hard copies I took that day.

Anyway...all I could do is look and learn, it was just to expensive for me. I recall I sent hard copy photos to a couple buddies and they both were very struck by it, but they couldn't see $8,000.00. Now if that was today!!!!!....I think I recall someone, I can't remember who, telling me there is a batter by it's self, but to this day I've never seen another example of the group or a single batter and can't find anyone who has. I've asked Joe Zobel who is probably the most well known Vienna bronze dealer in the United States, and he's never seen an example. Plus anytime I come across an antiques dealer at a show that has a lot of Vienna's' I ask them about a baseball one, but have never had any luck.

The next time I saw the Dennis' I asked about the statue and they said they sold it their at the Glendale show the weekend I saw it there. One day I was looking thru a book of photos of Victorian decors and about fell over to see a photos of a den that had one sitting on the fireplace mantle. It's pretty small to make out but I'm certain it the same Vienna baseball statue from the stance of the batters leg and the dark chest protector the catcher is wearing. See below,

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SPORTS ANTIQUE

OF THE WEEK

July 26th- August 1st 2009

Standout items

by SportsAntiques.com

THIS WEEKS FEATURE

c1933

SPORT KINGS

CHEWING GUM CARDS ADVERTISING POSTER

Printed on paper - 15" tall X 15" wide

Twenty four top athletes featured - Columbus Ohio collector has owned it twenty five years

Overview by Carlton Hendricks

I spotted this c1933 Sport Kings Gum card poster on a Net54 thread to "show your advertising pieces". I'm not a card collector, but it had the look and I knew it was rare. The Sport Kings card set that this poster advertises was produced by the Goudy Gum Company in 1933. To a collector who has chased the cards, the poster would be a very rare and iconic extension to a complete set.

The owner of the poster is fifty four year old hobby veteran Rick Payne of Columbus Ohio. Rick said he has owned it twenty five years and that it's been on his wall all that time. The poster is printed on paper and measures 15" by 15" excluding matt and frame.

Rick said he and his late father Joe had set up at eleven National Sports Collector Conventions from 1986 to 2001. I asked Rick where and how he came into it and he replied that a friend of his found two boxes of Sport Kings gum boxes in an old drug store in the 1970's, and that this poster was in one of the boxes. Rick said it took ten years but he finally got the poster and an empty box and fourteen lesser stars cards in a trade. Rick also added the poster isn't for sale. Below is email correspondence with Rick and a list of questions he graciously answered for this story.

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EMAIL CORRESPONDENCE WITH RICK PAYNE

Rick,

What are the dimensions of that Sport King
poster? Is that on cardstock? Is it for sale? It's great. -Carlton

Hi, Carlton!

Glad you liked it. It measures 15 x 15; and is printed on paper that I had dry mounted many years ago as part of restoration process. Quite a story, really...a friend had found TWO unopened boxes of Sport Kings gumcards in an old drug store in the 1970s and this poster was in one of them. Back then, no one seemed too interested in unopened packs so he opened them all. While the minty cards were great, at that time I was a pauper and always set my sights on the poster. It took about 10 years before I was finally able to trade the poster, an empty box and about 14 packs with lesser stars off of him. Box and cards are long gone. The poster isn't for sale, though...too many happy memories there.

I am going to be selling some nice things soon; my dad died in December and I'm overwhelmed with the combination of his collection and mine. We set up a booth once a year at most Nationals from 1990 - 2001, but started collecting back in the mid 1960s. I've got some great stuff but am woefully ignorant of values and the best way to market them. It's all memorabilia, not cards...which always made it easy to generate interest but a crapshoot on getting the right price for it. I'm expecting to make a run up to Cleveland for the National this year to reacquaint myself with the hobby.

Keep in touch! Rick

Hello Rick,
1. What year was this poster produced? Are there any markings? Printer?? year? any markings would be important..can you photograph them?...Can you send a better photo of the full gum box ?
2. When did Sport King start and end production of the gum? and the cards?
3. Are the cards considered standouts? That is, are they considered to be nicer/more desirable than most baseball cards?
4. What's the market value of the poster?
5. What are some highs of the cards?
6. What is a complete set worth these days?
7. Is this poster rare? How many have you seen?
8. How did you come into the poster? Where did you find it?
9. How does it rate among your collection? is it number number one?

10. Please feel free to elaborate on any other knowldege of this poster you care to share
Thanks -Carlton

Carton,

OK, I'll do my best on these questions...but I am not the right guy to ask about current values.

1. This poster was issued with the first series of Goudey Gum's SPORTS KINGS CHEWING GUM in 1933. The poster measure 15 " x 15" and was printed on slick paper. The card images are exactly the same size as the cards with exactly the same coloration. The poster pictures all 24 cards issued in 1933 (the first series of the program). There are no printing indicia on the poster and the back is blank. Originally, there was a strip of adhesive along the front of the top and bottom borders which was intended to be moistened to stick the poster to a window for display.

2 There are a total of 48 cards in the set. Goudey Gum reportedly issued the first series of 24 cards in 1933 and a second series of 24 in 1934, but they obviously knew a second series was coming because they mentioned it on the poster...so I'm not sure the second series wasn't released earlier. Each box held 100 packs.

3. SPORT KINGS only included three baseball players...Babe Ruth & Ty Cobb in 1933 and Carl Hubbell in 1934. The Goudey 1933 BIG LEAGUE CHEWING GUM set (R319) produced four cards of Ruth and they are more valuable than the SPORT KINGS Ruth. There was no Cobb in the BIG LEAGUE set, and I think the Hubbell SPORT KINGS is valued higher than the BIG LEAGUE card. Beyond baseball, however, SPORT KINGS is a tremendous set. This single set (in fact, this poster) features almost all the legends of American Sports of the early 20th century, active and retired...and it's interesting to note that the definition of "Sports" included famous aviators, surfers, dogsled racers, cyclists and pool players.

4. I don't know value of the poster; I would guess between $5,000 and $10,000. I can't think of any other set where every card in the series is pictured full-size on the poster! I haven't seen any other Goudey posters that come close to this one in visual impact. I know this isn't the only one out there, but I don't think too many survived the 1930s due to the adhesive.

5. Again, I'm the wrong guy to ask about values of cards. Key first series cards are the Ruth, Cobb, Grange, Thorpe and Dempsey. Key second series cards are Bobby Jones, Babe Didrickson (only female in the set), Knute Rockne and the Carl Hubbell. The hockey and basketball cards are also valuable, as is the Johnny Weismuller...who is best known as Tarzan in the movies.

6. Not a clue, but I'm sure some sets must have been auctioned by the big boys.

7. I'm sure this isn't the only one in existence, but I don't think too many survived the 1930s due to the adhesive. If you stuck it to a glass, the poster would have been severely damaged upon removal. And if I had been a kid in 1933, I would have begged the retailer for the sign so I could glue it to cardboard and cut it up to make my own cards! I do remember seeing one in an auction many years ago and don't know if any turned up in the big Goudey Company find.

8. Great story. A friend found two unopened boxes in a drug store back in the 1970s. Even then, the cards were valuable and most of the packs were opened and sold or traded. All the key cards were there and they were FLAWLESS except for the gum-stained backs (I've attached scans of one pack I kept). This folded poster was laid on top of the cards in one of the two boxes. I always had my sights set on the poster and about ten years later was able to trade for it and one of the boxes. The real challenge was dissolving the adhesives, which had fused together after all those years in the heat. It was painstaking work but the satisfaction in seeing it turn out so well was priceless.

9. It's hung on my wall for over 25 years and I still get a thrill each time I see it. It's not the most "valuable" thing in my collection, but there's nothing I "value" more than this. With the inspired design, great color, realistic images and historical significance, this is about as good as it gets.

10. One other observation: The "Free Large Photographic Pictures" reference at the bottom of the poster refers to a mailaway=2 0offer also described on the wrappers. If you sent 50 wrappers to Goudey, you could get one of eight 9" x 5 1/2" prints of selected athletes (DEMPSEY, RUTH, SARAZEN, TILDEN, LONDOS, GRANGE, WEISSMULLER and MORENZ). I have never seen any of these...would love to see them!

end of email correspondence

click photos

Sport Kings packs, box, wrapers and card

pack

full wrapper

wrapper detail

poster

Sport Kings box

card

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SPORTS ANTIQUE

OF THE WEEK

July 5th- 11th 2009

Standout items

by SportsAntiques.com

THIS WEEKS FEATURE

Four c1900

SHIRLEY PRESIDENT

SUSPENDERS ADVERTISING POSTERS

Photographed on location at 2007 National

Sports Collectors Convention, Cleveland Ohio

booth of Glen and Lisa Mechanick

Printed on cardstock -13 1/2" tall X 8 1/2" wide

Set of four priced $12,000.00

Overview by Carlton Hendricks

I came across this set of four Shirley President Suspenders advertising posters in the booth of Glen and Lisa Mechanick at the 2007 National Sports Collectors Convention in Cleveland. They're the only examples of them I've ever seen. They weren't real big posters but the quality was striking and they were in excellent condition. On the back of the batter poster is very interesting text obviously intended for retailers. From it we learn they were intended to be displayed in the retailers window. Also, there were six produced, which meant Glen was missing the "Golfing Girl" and the "Billiard Girl" ones. Apparently the suspenders were wholesaled in boxes of six, as the text indicates "You will find one picture in every half dozen box of Shirley President Suspenders." Moreover it's indicated if the retailer was missing any of the set they could write for them by number. Nothing is mentioned about price so it seems the posters/pictures were given away to the retailers. The retailers were instructed to write to the C.A. Edgarton Mfg. Co. in Shirley Massachusetts. The ShirleyHistory.org website has some interesting insight about the company.

In 1845, the railroad from Boston to Fitchburg opened Shirley up to further development. The town also became home to many industries including a cordage factory and the C.A. Edgarton Suspender Factory which, by 1890, had become the second largest maker of suspenders in the country. link

1881 C.A. Edgarton and Sons opened a factory on Leominster Road to produce webbing for suspenders and garters. Around 1900 - it became known as the President Suspender Company. About 1930 - George Frost Belt Company merged with the Suspender Company. In the early 1960's the President name was dropped and it was just George Frost Company. In 1988 - AMPAC bought the All Star sporting goods line from George Frost. In 1996 - AMPAC bought the George Frost building and rented out portions to other businesses. link

The excerpt below is from page 4 of my 2007 National coverage story.

Next was one of the best things I saw at the show, a set of four c1900 advertising posters for the Shirley President Suspenders Company. All the posters featured young ladies participating in different sports. There was one for tennis , fishing , baseball , and bowling. According to the back of them there was also a Billiard Girl, and a Golfing Girl that Glen didn't have. Each was 13 1/2" tall x 8 1/2" wide, $12,000.00 for the set of four. link

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SPORTS ANTIQUE

OF THE WEEK

June 28th- July 4th 2009

Standout items

by SportsAntiques.com

THIS WEEKS FEATURE

c1890

BASEBALL PLAYER

FIGURAL MATCH HOLDER

4 1/2" tall X 4 1/4" wide

Priced $995.00, Offered by John D. Wahl Antiques, Richmond, New Hampshire, see listing

Found on Google while

searching for baseball folk art

back side

looking down

Overview by Carlton Hendricks

I came across this match holder on the internet while looking for baseball folk art. It's listed on the J. D. Wahl Antiques website, who are located in Richmond New Hampshire. Based on the ring at the top this obviously hangs on the wall, so wouldn't be considered a match safe. In the antiques world you occasionally see early decorative utilitarian items like this with a baseball motif, but they are rare.

I know I've seen this match holder before in the hobby. I believe it may have been made by the same concern that made a c1890's baseball mirror I have. My mirror has gold paint, whereas this match holder has white. The glass mirror is diamond shaped and originally came with a small cast baseball base that sat on the highest tip point of the mirror. Mine is missing that base, but going from memory, I believe the ones I've seen were identical to the cast baseball base on the front of the match holders pocket.

click photos

1890's baseball mirror, likely same maker as match holder

Mirror and

match holder comparison

Dating this item is not easy as it isn't marked, and we have little to go on. We do have couple of clues though. There is a catchers mask on the front of the match pocket so we know for sure it's from after 1877 when the catchers mask was invented by Fred Thayer at Harvard in 1877. And the pill box cap would likely place it pre 1900. So we can fairly well place it between 1877 and 1900. For the sake of identification I've gone with c1890's, but it could have originated in the 1880's.

There is a small bit of damage in that the center strip of the fence has had the end knocked off on the viewers left, but the character of the modeling is such that you don't notice it.

ALSO, CLICK HERE TO

READ THE CHATTER ABOUT THIS ITEM ON NET54

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SPORTS ANTIQUE

OF THE WEEK

June 14th-20th 2009

Standout items

by SportsAntiques.com

THIS WEEKS FEATURE

c1880's

MONARCH SPORTING GOODS COMPANY

One Dozen

BASE BALLS

SHIPPING BOX

With Original

Chromolithographed Label

Illustrated Game Scene

5 1/2" tall by 5 1/4" wide

by 8 3/8" deep

made of cardstock

Photographed on location

2004 National Sports Collectors Convention

Booth of Bob McCann

Price $2,500.00

......Next from Bob, was one of the best pieces at the show. A c1880’s chromolithographed box that held a dozen baseballs from Monarch Sporting Goods Company of New York, outstanding condition, and outstanding label on the front, 5 ½” tall by 5 ¼” wide by 8 3/8” deep, $2,500.00.......

excerpted page 3, 2004 National Coverage

I shot this box in Bob McCann's booth at the 2004 National Sports Collectors Convention in Cleveland. I do not recall ever seeing a nicer baseballs box like this. The condition is remarkable for being made of cardstock.

Interestingly when I google Monarch Sporting Goods Company I don't get any references. I posted an inquiry about this box on Net54 , but to date haven't learned much about the Monarch Sporting Goods history. Shawn England posted a photo of a print ad from Sporting Life magazine which advertises a baseball endorsed by Hall of Famer Clark Griffith. The advertising copy states "it's an official ball", but doesn't elaborate who or what organization deemed it "official". At the bottom the ad it states "we make base ball uniforms". In all, from this ad we glean the Monarch company was successful enough to pay a big name player to endorse a ball, and they made uniforms. And oh yeah, the ball sold for $1.25!

Rhys Yeakley posted that he once bought some Monarch hockey pucks but has not seen anything else from the company. So we know they made hockey pucks at some point. Finally Jim Daniel who has a killer website baseballglovecollector.com, posted a photo of a Monarch Sporting Goods baseball glove endorsed by another Hall of Famer Joe Medwick . Apparently Monarch jobbed out the glove. Jim provided "This Monarch glove was clearly made by Denkert who operated out of Johnstown and Gloversville, NY."

Hunt Auctions auctioned this box in August 1999 for $1,675.00. The catalog description included the following insightful commentary: "This is the first intact example that we've encountered and due to obvious fragility and age will most likely be the only copy we'll handle. Stunning"....

This was all I could dig up. It wouldn't surprise me to some day learn Spalding owned them. We at least know Spalding would have been a competitor in the 1880-90's. A sporting goods company doesn't just appear out of thin air; it takes some knowledge of sports equipment for one thing. Until more information or at least clues turn up we can only speculate. I would imagine some baseball player started making mitts and balls and selling them on a small scale and the enterprise grew.

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c1880 Monarch Baseball Box Page